AJ Hairston’s arm talent is flashing, but the numbers say the jump is still in progress
In the 2026 season, Merrimack QB AJ Hairston has shown big-play potential with a 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, but the production has been uneven: he’s at 12 completions on 23 attempts for 145 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT through the early slate, after a 2025 season that finished at 957 passing yards with 4 TDs and 4 INTs. He looks like a developmental starter with upside—mobile enough to add a little value, sturdy in the pocket, and capable of pushing the ball downfield—but the consistency and decision-making still have to catch up. Good fit if a team wants traits and growth; less so if it needs a polished, immediate floor-raiser.
